College Football Week 15 – Clemson, Alabama, Michigan State and Oklahoma
Champions crowned, coaches named,
playoffs set and 80 bowl spots filled

And all in one weekend.  It doesn’t get much busier than that or crazier in some cases.

Muschamp? Really, South Carolina?

There were no surprises in the conference championship games – not a single upset. All eight games played out as predicted – the favorite team won. Well, maybe not your favorite team. But the odds on favorite won.

Some of the games came down to the wire. The Big Ten championship game between Michigan State and Iowa had the most exciting ending, which was a good thing, because the rest of the game was downright boring. That is unless you like defensive standoffs.

But the fourth quarter was a thriller – actually, the fourth quarter and the last minute of the third quarter. That’s when 17 of the game’s 29 points were scored. With the game tied 6-6, Michigan State kicked a 47-yard field goal in the final minute of the third to take a 9-6 lead.

Eleven seconds into the fourth quarter, Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard connected with Tevaun Smith on an 85-yard touchdown pass. Just like that, the Hawkeyes were up 13-9. But there was still a quarter of football to play.

After a couple of exchanges, Michigan State got the ball on its 18-yard line with 9:04 left in the game. The Iowa defense hadn’t given up a touchdown all game. But the Hawkeyes defense was beginning to show some signs of tiring.

Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook drove the Spartans down the field on a slow but methodical drive, eating up the clock along the way. On the 22nd play of the drive and with only 0:27 left in the game, L.J. Scott powered his way through and around Iowa defenders, reaching the ball across the goal line to score. State won 16-13.

In the ACC title game, Clemson led North Carolina, 35-16, late in the third quarter. Then the teams proceeded to trade five scores, all within 14 or so minutes. The Tar Heels scored last with 1:13 left in the game. The North Carolina score pulled the Tar Heels within 8 points of Clemson, trailing the Tigers 45-37.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Tar Heels executed an onside kick and recovered the ball. But one of the referees flagged North Carolina for being offsides on the kick. The Tar Heels were penalized and had to kick again. North Carolina was not successful on the second onside kick.

Video replay of the first onside kick revealed that North Carolina wasn’t offsides on the play. They weren’t even close to being offsides. But if North Carolina had scored again and succeeded on the 2-point conversion, the game would have ended in a tie.

And if, by chance, the Tar Heels won in overtime, the curtains would have come down on the ACC. Not only would Clemson not be in the playoffs, but no one from the ACC would be in the playoffs. Get my gist?

Clemson ran out the clock in the final 1:13 and beat North Carolina, 45-37. Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson had a Heisman performance in the game, passing for 289 yards and running for another 131 yards. Expect Watson to get an invite to the Heisman ceremonies in New York this Saturday.

Speaking of Heisman performances, how about Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey? Stanford won the Pac-12 title, beating USC, 41-22, in the championship game. McCaffrey was practically a one-man show for the Cardinal. He had 461 all-purpose yards in the game – 207 rushing, 105 receiving, 120 on kickoff returns and 29 yards on punt returns. And if that’s not enough, McCaffrey scored two touchdowns and threw an 11-yard touchdown pass. Can Derrick Henry do that?

And speaking of Henry, he had a Heisman performance of his own, rushing for 189 yards in Alabama’s 29-15 SEC championship win over Florida.

In the Group of 5 title games, Bowling Green downed Northern Illinois, 34-14, for the MAC championship. Houston took the AAC title, beating Temple, 24-13. In the C-USA championship, Western Kentucky rallied to beat Southern Miss, 45-28. And in the only other close and exciting title game, San Diego State kicked a 46-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter and hung on to edge Air Force, 27-24, for the MWC championship.

So after all was played and done, and to no one’s surprise, the selection committee chose 1. Clemson (13-0), 2, Alabama (12-1), 3. Michigan State and 4. Oklahoma (11-1) for the playoffs. On New Year’s Eve, Clemson will play Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl in one semifinal, and Alabama will meet Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl in the other semifinal. The winners will meet in the championship game on January 11.

Alabama is the only repeat team from last year’s playoffs. Last season, the Tide lost to Ohio State, the eventual champion, in the semifinals. In Michigan State, Alabama is up against a Big Ten team again this year in the semifinals. The Tide should be thinking paybacks. 

Ironically, Clemson and Oklahoma met in last year’s Russell Athletic Bowl. In that game, the Tigers embarrassed the Sooners, 40-6. Oklahoma should be thinking paybacks.

In the four CFP New Year’s Six bowls, the selection committee chose No. 5 Iowa to play No. 6 Stanford in the Rose Bowl; No. 7 Ohio State to meet No. 8 Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl; No. 9 Florida State to play No. 18 Houston (the highest-ranked Group of 5 team) in the Peach Bowl and No. 12 Ole Miss to meet No. 16 Oklahoma State in the Sugar Bowl. All but the Peach Bowl will be played on January 1. The Peach Bowl will be played on December 31.                 

In all, 80 teams were picked for 40 bowls. This year, for the first time, only 77 teams qualified for the 80 spots. A team must have a 6-6 record or better to qualify. So the NCAA allowed three 5-7 teams with the best Academic Progress Rate to fill the three open slots. Those three teams were Nebraska, Minnesota and San Jose State.

In the coaching carousel, no less than 11 schools named their new coach last week, most over the weekend. And another coach was fired.

Muschamp? Really, South Carolina?

USC got the ball rolling with the announcement that interim coach Clay Helton would become the Trojans full time coach. Helton’s announcement was popular with the USC players. Yesterday, Helton fired his defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, defensive backs coach and offensive line coach.

UCF pulled one out of the hat, naming Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost as its new coach. Frost was the quarterback of Nebraska’s last national championship team in 1997. Frost is sure to liven up the UCF offense.

Ironically, shortly after UCF announced Frost, fellow AAC conference member East Carolina fired its coach Ruffin McNeil. McNeil was 42-34 in six seasons with the Pirates.

Hawaii hired Nevada offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich. Miami (Florida) hired former Georgia coach Mark Richt. Richt was a quarterback at Miami back in the Vinny Testaverde days. Maryland hired Michigan defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin. Durkin is a former defensive coordinator at Florida under Will Muschamp.

North Texas named North Carolina offensive coordinator Seth Littrell as its new coach. Syracuse hired Bowling Green coach Dino Babers. Memphis hired Arizona State offensive coordinator Mike Norvell, and Rutgers hired Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash.

Virginia made an unexpected and surprising hire. The Cavaliers grabbed BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall. At Virginia, Mendenhall can compete as a Power 5 coach. As a Group of 5 Independent, BYU is between a rock and a hard spot. And then, as expected, Georgia hired Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. Smart is a former Georgia player. Since the Georgia announcement, another former Georgia player, Heinz Ward, notified Smart that he would like to be on his coaching staff. Ward and Smart played at Georgia at the same time.

And last, but not least: Muschamp? Really, South Carolina?

Yes, after Tom Herman, Kirby Smart, Rich Rodriguez and who knows how many others turned down South Carolina, the Gamecocks, out of desperation I assume, hired Will Muschamp. Muschamp, who was canned from his last two positions, was the recommended candidate of Steve Spurrier. Strange!

So still looking for a coach are Louisiana-Monroe, Tulane, East Carolina, BYU and Bowling Green. Tulane could be hiring Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, Jeremy Pruitt, Mark Richt’s defensive coordinator at Georgia, is hoping to take Kirby Smart’s old job, becoming Alabama’s defensive coordinator. And speaking of Alabama, where will Lane Kiffin turn up? Word is Kiffin won’t be the Tide’s offensive coordinator next season. Many thought Kiffin would get one of the head coach openings at another school. Others said he would go back to the NFL as an assistant somewhere. Stay tuned!

More was revealed last week on the LSU-Les Miles fiasco. According to reports, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher had agreed in principle to become the LSU coach. However, when salary negotiations broke down and when Fisher saw the outpouring of emotions from LSU fans for Miles, Fisher called off the talks and reneged on his agreement.

In Athens, Georgia, last week, a sign outside a restaurant read, “We have beer as cold as Greg McGarity’s heart.” McGarity is Georgia’s athletic director – the man who fired Mark Richt. Dawgs fans are something else.

Ever since Georgia lost to Florida, Georgia fans were calling for Richt’s head. “He can’t beat Florida,” they said. “He can’t win the big games,” they said. “He can’t win the SEC,” they said. He can’t manage the clock at the end of close games,” they said. Then when Richt was fired, Dawgs fans began whining. “They can’t fire Mark.” “Poor Mark.” What do Georgia fans want? You can’t have it both ways.

Personally, I think Mark Richt is a great coach and an honorable man. But I think it was time for him to move on. And I think Kirby Smart is a good hire. But now he won’t be able to have Will Muschamp as his defensive coordinator. Really, South Carolina?

Ohio State junior receiver Michael Thomas trashed Alabama’s schedule last week. Thomas said the Tide hadn’t played anybody. Really, Michael?

Then there was Danny Kanell on the “Mike & Mike” show last week, wearing a tie. Nobody goes on “Mike & Mike” wearing a tie.

This is Army-Navy week. The Cadets and the Middies play Saturday in Philadelphia. Navy leads the series, which began in 1890, 59-49-7. And talking about Navy, why are the Middies in the AAC West. Navy should be in the AAC East and Cincinnati should be in the AAC West. The AAC is about as screwy as the ACC.

Wonder if Will Muschamp will bring Charlie Weis out of retirement to be his offensive coordinator at South Carolina?

Muschamp? Really, South Carolina?

Touchdown Tom
December 7, 2015
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Drive, he said – Michigan State 16, Iowa 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan State 30, Iowa 23). Trailing 13-9, Michigan State utilized most of the clock in the fourth quarter with a slow, but deliberate final drive down the field to ultimately score on Iowa with 0:27 left in the game. With each play, Iowa’s defense was more and more worn out. The entire game was a defensive battle. The Spartans defense limited the Hawkeyes to 52 yards rushing. That was the big difference in the game. State was more balanced with 174 yards rushing and 191 passing. The Spartans dominated time of possession 37 minutes to 23 minutes. Three turnovers didn’t help Iowa any. Attendance in Indianapolis: 66,985

RUNNER UP:  We get by with a little help from the refs – Clemson 45, North Carolina 37 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 36, North Carolina 30). Well, thanks to the refs, Clemson remained undefeated. Crooked officiating seems to be pervasive in ACC games. But, all said and done, Clemson dominated the game. The Tigers had 608 total yards to 302 for the Tar Heels. Clemson’s Deshaun Watson passed for 289 yards and ran for another 131 yards. The Tigers Wayne Gallman rushed for 187 yards. Attendance in Charlotte: 75,514

REST OF THE BEST:  Off to a New Year’s 6 bowl – Houston 24, Temple 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Houston 32, Temple 25). Temple controlled the game, but lost in the final outcome. The Owls had more total yards and first downs than Houston. Temple also controlled time of possession – 33 minutes to 27 minutes. But the Owls also had two turnovers to none for Houston. The Cougars had a 24-3 lead late in the third quarter. Attendance in Houston: 35,721

No Gator-aide – Alabama 29, Florida 15 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 28, Florida 7). A close game until late in the third quarter, Alabama eventually wore Florida down. Again, the Gators had no offense and couldn’t make field goals. The defense could only hold up for so long. Florida’s offense only mustered 15 yards rushing. Alabama had 437 total yards to 180 for the Gators. And Florida’s offense only had possession of the ball for 17 minutes of the game. Bama’s Derrick Henry rushed for 189 yards. Attendance in Atlanta: 75,320

The Hilltopper Dough-ty boy – Western Kentucky 45, Southern Miss 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Western Kentucky 42, southern Miss 26). It took the Hilltoppers a while to get warmed up. Trailing Southern Miss 21-7 late in the second quarter, WKU went on to outscore the Eagles 38-7 during the remainder of the game. The Toppers Brandon Doughty passed for 410 yards and three touchdowns. Southern Miss suffered from four turnovers. Attendance in Bowling Green: 16,823

Superman – Stanford 41, USC 22 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 28, USC 27). What else can you say about Christian McCaffrey? The Stanford running back accounted for 461 all-purpose yards. This was anybody’s ballgame until midway through the fourth quarter. USC trailed the Trees by only 5 points – 27-22 – but then Stanford scored 14 unanswered points in the final six minutes of the game. The Trees controlled the clock, dominating the time of possession 36 minutes to 24 minutes.  Attendance in Santa Clara: 58,476

Sacrificed – San Diego State 27, Air Force 24 (Touchdown Tom said: San Diego State 33, Air Force 29). This was the most exciting of the championship games. The contest was tied four times and San Diego State never led until 14:22 left in the fourth quarter. That’s when the Aztecs went up 24-17. But three minutes later, Air Force tied it back up at 24 all. The Aztecs kicked a 46-yard field goal with 5:10 left on the clock. Attendance in San Diego: 20,959

Falcons mush the Huskies – Bowling Green 34, Northern Illinois 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Bowling Green 28, Northern Illinois 25). In the MAC championship, Bowling Green (10-3) dominated the game in all aspects. The Falcons had a 28-0 lead early in the third quarter. They had 504 total yards to 259 for NIU. BG had 25 first downs to 17 for the Huskies. The Falcons even had 13 penalties (110 yards) to 6 (49 yards) for NIU. BG’s Travis Greene rushed for 183 yards. Attendance in Detroit: 16,425

The steak was too tough – Texas 23, Baylor 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Baylor 40, Texas 23). Texas built up a 20-0 halftime lead and, as hard as they tried, the Bears never could catch up. Baylor pulled within 3 points – 20-17 – with 10 minutes to go in the game. But six minutes later, the Horns added a security field goal. Baylor had 479 total yards to 307 for Texas. But the Bears also had four turnovers to none for the Horns. Attendance in Waco: 48,093

Flat in the Flatlands – Kansas State 24, West Virginia 23 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 30, Kansas State 23). WVU had 447 total yards to 304 for Kansas State, but the Mountaineers couldn’t punch the ball into the end zone. K-State played ball control, dominating the clock 36 minutes to 24 minutes. WVU’s Wendell Smallwood rushed for 141 yards. Attendance in Manhattan: 52,918


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

Not Fatty – Georgia State 34, Georgia Southern 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia Southern 32, Georgia State 26). A big underdog going into the game, Georgia State not only smashed Georgia Southern, but also the Panthers qualified for their first ever bowl game with the win. State’s Nick Arbuckle pierced the Eagles defense with 346 yards passing and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Panthers defense all but shutdown Southern’s vaulted running game. Attendance in Statesboro: 23,401


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

West Virginia (7-5), Florida (9-3) and Texas (5-7) have completed their seasons.

Week 14 Picks:  8 correct, 3 wrong (72.7%)
On the Season:  161 correct, 80 wrong (66.8%)


Superlatives

Impressive Passers: 

Western Kentucky’s Brandon Doughty – 34-52-1 for 410 yards; Georgia State’s Nick Arbuckle – 20-32-1-346; Troy’s Brandon Silvers – 22-38-0-320, and New Mexico State’s Andrew Allen – 23-36-2-308 yards.


Impressive Rushers: 

Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey – 207 yards; Appalachian State’s Marcus Cox – 192 yards; Alabama’s Derrick Henry – 189 yards; Clemson’s Wayne Gallman – 187 yards; Bowling Green’s Travis Greene – 183 yards; Baylor’s Johnny Jefferson – 158 yards, and Air Force’s Jacobi Owens – 156 yards.


TT’s Annual Picks 

My choice for “Coach of the Year” from each of the FBS Conferences

AAC: Willie Taggart – South Florida; Runner-up: Ken Niumatalolo – Navy
ACC: Dabo Swinney – Clemson; Runner-up: (tie) Larry Fedora – North Carolina and Pat Narduzzi – Pitt
Big 12: Bob Stoops – Oklahoma; Runner-up: Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State
Big 10: Kirk Ferentz – Iowa; Runner-up: Pat Fitzgerald – Northwestern
C-USA: Todd Monken – Southern Miss; Runner-up: Jeff Brohm – Western Kentucky
MAC: Dino Babers – Bowling Green; Runner-up: John Bonamego – Central Michigan
MWC: Troy Calhoun – Air Force; Runner-up: Bob Davie – New Mexico
Pac-12: Kyle Whittingham – Utah; Runner-up: Mike Leach – Washington State
SEC: Jim McElwain – Florida; Runner-up: Hugh Freeze – Ole Miss
Sun Belt: Trent Miles – Georgia State; Runner-up: Blake Anderson – Arkansas State


My choice for national “Coach of the Year”:
1. Dabo Swinney – Clemson 
2. Kirk Ferentz – Iowa
3. Bob Stoops – Oklahoma


If I had a vote for the Heisman Trophy, my ballot would be cast as follows:
1. Christian McCaffrey – Stanford 
2. Deshaun Watson – Clemson
3. Derrick Henry – Alabama


The most surprising team from each FBS conference:
AAC: South Florida (8-4)
ACC: (tie) North Carolina (11-2) and Pitt (8-4)
Big 12: Oklahoma (11-1)
Big Ten: (tie) Iowa (12-1) and Northwestern (10-2)
C-USA: Southern Miss (9-4)
MAC: Central Michigan (7-5)
MWC: (tie) Air Force (8-5) and New Mexico (7-5)
Pac-12: (tie) Utah (9-3) and Washington State (8-4)
SEC: Florida (10-3)
Sun Belt: Georgia State (6-6)


The most disappointing team from each FBS conference:
AAC: UCF (0-12)
ACC: Georgia Tech (3-9)
Big 12: Texas (4-8)
Big Ten: Nebraska (5-7)
C-USA: Rice (5-7)
MAC: Massachusetts (3-9)
MWC: Fresno State (3-9)
Pac-12: Arizona State (6-6)
SEC: Auburn (6-6)
Sun Belt: (tie) Texas State (3-9) Louisiana-Lafayette (4-8)


Quotes of the Week

“Life is about people, not rings. Rings collect dust,” new Miami (Florida) coach Mark Richt’s parting words at Georgia.


Signs of the Week

You Need To Talk To Your Kids About Undefeated Iowa

Iowa: 75% Vowels, 100% Awesome

Urban Is Playing Corn Hole This Weekend

Corso Likes Tofu On His Pizza

The Jerk Store Called. They’re Running Out Of Herbstreit

Mark Dantonio Can’t Dab


Touchdown Tom’s Prediction for
This Week’s 1 Biggest and Most Intriguing Game

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Army vs. Navy – (Ind. vs. AAC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – This contest is no longer a rivalry. A rivalry is when you have two teams that play yearly and are competitive against each other. Navy has won 13 in a row and 16 of the last 18 games. Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds is a Heisman candidate. Reynolds won’t win the Heisman, but he could finish as high as fourth in the voting. This series began 125 years ago in 1890. Navy won the first game then and the Middies will make it 14-straight wins this year. The Boat Boys make the Mule Boys seasick – Navy 31, Army 16.


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football … Houston coach Tom Herman has agreed to a contract extension that will more than double his salary and keep him with the Cougars. Houston extended Herman’s contract through the 2020 season and increased his salary to $2.8 million annually. His original contract would have expired at the end of the 2018 season and paid him $1.35 million annually. Herman’s raise was actually approved at $3 million, but he accepted $2.8 million on the basis that $200,000 would be spread among his assistant coaches each year.

Jacksonville University fired football coach Kerwin Bell after nine seasons. Bell, a former quarterback at Florida, was 66-35 at JU, a FCS school. JU hired Ian Shields as its new coach. The past two years, Shields has been the coach of Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. He was 16-6 overall – 11-1 in 2014. Prior to Lenoir-Rhyne, Shields was the offensive coordinator at Army. JU athletic director Donnie Horner is a former Army quarterback.

Georgia quarterback Faton Bauta, a redshirt junior, has decided to transfer. If Bauta transfers to another FBS school, he will be able to play next year under the NCAA’s graduate transfer rule….  Pitt junior running back James Conner announced he has been diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma and has tumors in his neck and chest. Conner has not played since tearing the MCL in his right knee during the first week of the season. Conner was the ACC Player of the Year in 2014 after rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns.


Your 2015 Conference Champions

AAC: Houston
ACC: Clemson
Big 12: Oklahoma
Big Ten: Michigan State
C-USA: Western Kentucky
MAC: Bowling Green
MWC: San Diego State
Pac-12: Stanford
SEC: Alabama
Sun Belt: Arkansas State

Touchdown Tom
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


P.S.
Not exactly college football related, but with the gray skies of early December upon us, the college football season was fading fast.  As the fans were talking about bowl games, coaching changes and the Heisman Trophy candidates, the number one song in the country…

…75 years ago this week in 1940 was “Only Forever” by Bing Crosby

…70 years ago this week in 1945 was “It’s Been A Long, Long Time” by Harry James and His Orchestra

…65 years ago this week in 1950 was “The Thing” by Phil Harris

…60 years ago this week in 1955 was “Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford

…55 years ago this week in 1960 was “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” by Elvis Presley

…50 years ago this week in 1965 was “”Turn, Turn, Turn (To Everything There Is A Season)” by The Byrds

…45 years ago this week in 1970 was “I Think I Love You” by The Partridge Family

…40 years ago this week in 1975 was “Fly, Robin, Fly” by Silver Convention

…35 years ago this week in 1980 was “Lady” by Kenny Rogers

…30 years ago this week in 1985 was “Broken Wings” by Mr. Mister

…25 years ago this week in 1990 was “Because I Love You (The Postman Song)” by Stevie B


Not exactly college football related, but there were two passings of note last week – Jim Loscutoff and Robert Loggia.

Jim Loscutoff, who spent his entire nine-year NBA career with the Boston Celtics, playing on seven championship teams in the 1950s and 1960s, died last week in Naples, Florida. He was 85. Known as Jungle Jim, Loscutoff was the Celtics’ first-round draft pick out of Oregon, where he still holds the single-game record for rebounds with 32. A 6-foot-5 forward, Loscutoff was known for his aggressive play. James Loscutoff was born on February 4, 1930, in San Francisco. 

Robert Loggia, an Oscar-nominated actor who had a career in television and movies, notably “Scarface” (1983) and “Big” (1988), died last week at his home in Los Angeles. He was 85. Loggia’s career began on the New York stage in the 1950s and soon moved into film and television.  In addition to “Scarface” and “Big,” other movies included “Prizzi’s Honor” (1985), “Jagged Edge” (1985), “Somebody Up There Likes Me” (1956) and “Independence Day” (1996). He appeared in four episodes of the HBO series “The Sopranos.” Salvatore Loggia was born on January 30, 1930, in Staten Island, New York. He grew up in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. He studied journalism for a time at the University of Missouri, but dropped out of school to pursue acting.